On Monday, April 29, 2013, Bonnie Gross and Bob Rountree of The Guardian chose from historic guesthouses with old Florida charm to luxurious inns and comfy lakeside cabins in the Sunshine State and chose some interesting places to stay. This is what they had to say.

This elegant B&B overlooks the Halifax River and takes its name from the dolphins that patrol the waters off its dock. The expansive great room downstairs includes a bar, sitting area and breakfast room, where a full Southern-style breakfast is served at weekends. You are within walking distance of restaurants and shops in the historic downtown area and a short distance from beaches , surf shops and Flagler Avenue’s beachside galleries and eateries. • +1 386 410 4868, blackdolphininn.com. Doubles from $129 B&B

This charming inn lies in the heart of Venice’s historic district, developed as a planned community as an investment by a railroad union during the 1920s. At the time, railroads were rapidly spreading across Florida for transport of winter crops to the populous north and to bring northerners south for respite from Yankee winters. The stucco exterior and tasteful landscaping blend well in this neighborhood of stately homes and wide boulevards. All nine rooms are comfortable and plush, and the reading room serves as a gathering place for guests to play games. There’s a 24-hour snack cupboard to supplement the gourmet breakfasts. You are a pleasant walk from white-sand beaches and be sure to try the seafood at the nearby Crow’s Nest, overlooking the inlet to the Gulf of Mexico. Just don’t try to book for the summer months: t • +1 941 488 2702, horseandchaiseinn.com. Doubles from $119 B&B. Closed from July until 15 October

St Augustine was founded in 1565 by a Spanish admiral, making it the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the US. It’s full of historic B&Bs, and the Victorian House, a well-preserved 1895 building, epitomizes all the things that are enchanting about them. A key asset is its excellent location, on a quiet street in the historic district, where horse-drawn carriage tours clip-clop past over the cobblestones. Another is the breakfasts, a cut above the usual. • +1 904 824 5214, victorianhousebnb.com. Doubles from $119 B&B